THE MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND THE PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM HANDBOOK Lincoln University Graduate Education Program 3020 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
Table of Contents Page Program Overview. 2 Statement of Need. 2 Recruitment. 3 Program Goals. 3 Program Evaluation. 3 Budget Narrative. 4 M. Ed. Degree in Educational Leadership. 5 Admission Requirements. 5 Required Courses 5 Entrance Criteria 6 Retention Criteria 7 Exit Criteria 7 Principal Certification 8 Admission Requirements.. 8 Required Courses 8 Entrance Criteria 9 Retention Criteria 10 Exit Criteria 10 Advising 10 Field Experiences 11 Selection and Training of Mentors 11 Candidate Support 12 Program Improvement 12 Professional Development 12 Course Descriptions 13 Faculty 18 Program Delivery.. 21 Curriculum, Instructional Strategies and Intervention 21 Framework and guidelines for principal preparation programs. 22 Course Alignment Standards.. 22 Course Alignments to Core and Corollary Standards. 23 Course Alignments & ELL Competencies 31 Course Alignment with Special Education Competencies 34 Evidence/Measurement Processes. 35 Appendix Appendix 1: Advisement Sheet.. 38 Appendix 2: Principal Candidate/ Intern Evaluation Form.. 39 Appendix 3: Mentor/Intern Daily/ Weekly Activity Sheet.. 40 Appendix 4: Mentor s Overall Evaluation of Principal Candidate Internship 43 1
Program Overview The Educational Leadership/ Principal Certification program has been developed to be aligned with the program standards and guidelines prescribed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to prepare school leaders and professional administrators for leadership roles in K-12 schools. The proposed Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Principal Certification at Lincoln University is a thirty- nine (39) semester-hour program which seeks to promote the role of the principal as a reflective decision maker leading to an informed instructional leader. All requirements for the degree program and principal certification must be completed within 5 years beginning from the date of admission. Statement of Need Conveniently located at 3020 Market Street in Philadelphia with easy accessibility to public transportation, Lincoln University s Graduate Education Programs currently offer a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree and teacher certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. In addition, the University offers a Master of Science in Reading (MSR) and Reading Specialist Certification. The development of the Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and the Principal Certification program is based upon the many inquiries from those certified teachers who wish to secure administrative positions in the School District of Philadelphia and surrounding school districts. In recent months, the Office of the Graduate Admissions and Student Service at Lincoln University reported an increase in inquiry phone calls and e-mail messages from potential candidates who are interested in an M. Ed. degree in Educational Leadership and principal certification. Likewise, the Graduate Education Programs Coordinator s office also noted similar phone calls from potential candidates. It should be noted that 17 potential candidates have left their contact information with the Office of Graduate Admission and Student Services to be notified when the program becomes available. In addition, four (4) of our recent graduates are enrolled in Education Leadership programs at surrounding universities that offer Educational Leadership certification programs. Thus, in order to meet the needs of educators and school administrators in the Tri-State regions, the faculty and staff of the Graduate Education Program developed the Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Principal Certification Programs and have planned to offer courses beginning the fall 2010 semester. The development of this program addresses the Mission Statement of the Graduate Education Program with the focus of meeting the educational needs of the School District of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. It is important for Lincoln University to take a leadership role in preparing African Americans to be certified as principals and leaders in our basic education schools in the region. The development of the program and the individual courses follow PDE guidelines. Therefore, upon PDE program approval, candidates with 5 years of teaching experience in their areas of certification who complete all necessary course work, field work, and internships and pass the Praxis II examination will be able to apply for principal certification through PDE. With that certification, candidates are able to apply for any principal position in Pennsylvania. In addition, many districts hire individuals with principal certification as supervisors of specific content areas. 2
Upon program approval by PDE, Lincoln University will begin marketing the Educational Leadership and Principal Certification programs. As the programs develop, it is perceived that an additional full-time position will be necessary. The individual selected for this position will have both research and practical experience as an administrator. It is envisioned that this individual will be qualified to teach courses in the other Master of Education programs. Recruitment Lincoln University, an HBCU, has a mission to service underrepresented populations. Therefore, the university uses a the network of well-established cooperatives with school districts serving its teacher education candidates as well as its relationships with its graduates for recruitment purposes. In conjunction with the Graduate Center s Admissions Department, the Education Department at Lincoln University developed a recruitment brochure which will include the Educational Leadership program and will be used for recruitment once the program is approved by PDE. Brochures are mailed to surrounding schools and school districts with contact information. Information regarding all programs is also noted on Lincoln University s website. Upon approval of the Educational Leadership Program by PDE, this information will be added to the Graduate Program s page on the Lincoln University website. The recruitment effort that has brought the greatest response has been through our Admissions Department. We recently hired a graduate from our Elementary Education Program who is in a quasi-administrative position in the School District of Philadelphia as our Graduate Education Department Recruiter. Several Lincoln University faculty members have developed partnership programs that have served as recruitment tools. One such program is with the Parkway School in Philadelphia in which our pre-service teachers work with high school students as they develop lessons for the primary grades. Thus, there is an exchange of visits of our pre-service teachers and their students in both locations. This provides an opportunity for the high school students to attend classes and experience college life. Another program is through the School of the Future in Philadelphia at which an assembly program is planned as a recruitment activity. In addition, articulation agreements exist with Montgomery Community College and the Community College of Philadelphia. Program Goals Lincoln University s Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Educational Leadership/Principal certification program goals are: (1) to prepare qualified and effective K-12 school administrators and instructional leaders; (2) to prepare effective K-12 school principals who would also serve as positive change agents in the community; and (3) to develop school leaders with the necessary skills and capacity to improve student learning based upon research, assessment and the implementation of best practices. The Educational Leadership program is designed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education s framework and guidelines for principal preparation programs which also apply to all school system leaders. Program Evaluation Both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be utilized to collect data from current and former students on their experiences as students at Lincoln University and as leaders 3
at their work places. Accordingly, the Office of the Graduate Education Programs Coordinator will: 1) Conduct interviews with current candidates to obtain data on their overall experience during the semester at Lincoln University. The data will include their experiences with the academic advisor, course design and instruction, and areas that require improvement. 2) Annually collect data from those who successfully complete their study in Lincoln University s Educational Leadership program using survey forms to inquire whether the skills they gained at Lincoln University helped them successfully exercise their leadership duties as school administrators and principals. 3) Data from both interviews and surveys will be analyzed and the findings will be published on the School of Social Sciences and Behavioral Studies (SSSBS) Newsletter and Lincoln University s Website before the beginning of the next academic year. 4) Data from the interviews and surveys will be used to improve the Educational Leadership program by revising the curricula as necessary. An electronic alumni tracking mechanism will be created to have updated information on graduates from the Educational Leadership program. The contact information will be stored and maintained in the Education Department and/or Graduate Center database. In consultation with the Chair of the Education Department, the graduate education faculty will create a review team that will review a sample of student papers, thesis projects, and comprehensive examination results at the end of the spring semester to see how well the students are meeting program standards and then recommend areas that need improvement. At least once a year, Lincoln University s Graduate Council will hear and review a progress report from the Office of the Graduate Education Programs Coordinator on the provisions of the Educational Leadership program, and make recommendations as necessary. Budget Narrative The current two full-time graduate faculty members are qualified to teach the courses in this program as well as three members of the undergraduate Education Department. However, the budget narrative is based upon additional adjunct members teaching the courses. The calculation for budgeting is based upon a minimum of a cohort of 5 graduate student enrollment figures. The figures represent income for 2 semesters of course work. The final calculation suggests an income for Lincoln University of $17,760 per year for two semesters with a minimum of 5 students. It is envisioned that a new cohort of students will begin each semester when the Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Principal Certification Program becomes a reality. ( Fall 2011 and Spring 2012) Adjunct Faculty = 2 courses x $2625 x 2 semester = $10,500/yr Graduate Student Tuition = $1413 (per course) x 5 students = $ 7,065 4
Tuition Income= $7,065 x 2 courses= $14,130 (per semester) x 2 semesters = $28,260/yr Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership Admission Requirements 1 Candidates must: 1. possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. 2. provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed showing an overall GPA of at least 3.0. 3. be a full-time employee in a public or private school when applying for admission. 4. submit a completed Graduate Program application. 5. provide three (3) letters of recommendation from instructors and immediate supervisors. 6. submit a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee (no personal checks accepted). 7. submit a 300-500 word essay explaining future goals based on the selected graduate program. 8. provide an updated resume. Required Courses for Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership (39 credit hours) Required Courses (27 credit hours) Course # Course Titles Credit Hours EDU 631.21 Human Resource Management in Education 3 EDU 634.21 School Law 3 EDU 636.21 K-12 School Administration and Assessment 3 EDU 638.21 Curriculum Design & Instructional Improvement 3 EDU 642.21 Supervision and Instruction in K-12 Schools 3 EDU 647.21 School Finance and Fiscal Affairs 3 EDU 656.21 The Principalship 3 EDU 657.21 Instructional Leadership 3 1 Candidates may transfer up to six (6) credit hours of graduate level coursework from other accredited institutions with the approval of the academic advisor and/or the Chairperson of the Education Department. Required capstone and field experience courses cannot be substituted by transferred courses. 5
EDU 658.21 School & Community Relations 3 Total 27 Required Capstone Courses (6 credit hours) Course # Course Titles Credit Hours EDU 661.21 Research Methods in Education 3 EDU 662.21 M.Ed.EL Thesis Project, or EDU 663.21 M.Ed.EL Comprehensive Examination 3 Required Field Experience (6 credit hours) Total 6 Course # Course Titles Credit Hours EDU 659.21 K-12 Principal Internship I 3 EDU 660.21 K-12 Principal Internship II 3 Total 6 A. Entrance Criteria/Admission Requirements I. Those candidates who hold an undergraduate degree and are seeking a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration must meet the following requirements for admission: 1. Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university 2. Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed showing an overall GPA of at least 3.0 3. Be a full-time employee in a public or private school when applying for admission 4. Submit a completed Graduate Program application 5. Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from instructors and immediate supervisors 6. Submit a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee (no personal checks accepted) 7. Submit a 300-500 word essay explaining future goals based on the selected graduate program 8. Provide an updated resume 6
II. Those candidates who hold a master s degree in another area and are seeking a Master of Education in Educational Leadership must meet the following requirements for admission*: 1. Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution 2. Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed showing an overall GPA of at least 3.0 3. Be a full-time employee in a public or private school when applying for admission 4. Submit a completed Graduate Program application 5. Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from instructors and immediate supervisors 6. Submit a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee (no personal checks accepted) 7. Submit a 300-500 word essay explaining future goals based on the selected graduate program 8. Provide an updated resume` (* Candidates may transfer up to six (6) credit hours of graduate level coursework from other accredited institutions with the approval of the academic advisor and/or the Chair of the Education Department. Required capstone and field experience courses can not be substituted by transferred courses). B. Retention Criteria Candidates must: 1. register for at least two graduate level courses during each academic session to maintain full-time status. 2. maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to stay in the program. 3. abide by Lincoln University s policies as listed in Lincoln University s Bulletin. C. Exit Criteria To be eligible for the degree of Master of Education in Educational Leadership, the candidate must: 1. complete a minimum of 39 credit hours. 2. complete all required coursework. 3. maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 4. fulfill the academic requirements for the Pennsylvania K-12 Principal Certificate. 7
5. complete the required coursework within a five-year time frame. 6. write a thesis and successfully pass the oral examination, or successfully pass the comprehensive examination. Principal Certification Lincoln University s Principal Certification Program is designed to prepare individuals who will serve as principals or assistant principals for K-12 schools. Required Administrative Courses (27 credits) Course # Course Titles Credit Hours EDU 631.21 Human Resource Management in Education 3 EDU 636.21 K-12 School Administration and Assessment 3 EDU 634.21 School Law 3 EDU 656.21 The Principalship 3 EDU 657.21 Instructional Leadership 3 EDU 634.21 School Law 3 EDU 638.21 Curriculum Design and Instructional Improvement 3 EDU 658.21 School & Community Relations 3 EDU 647.21 School Finance and Fiscal Affairs 3 Supervised Field Experience (6 credits) 2 Course # Course Titles Credit Hours EDU 659.21 K-12 Principal Internship I 3 EDU 660.21 K-12 Principal Internship II 3 27 Total 6 2 The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Standards for Principal Certification require 360 hours of participation in administrative field-based experiences. The 360 hours of field experience is the minimum number of required hours and culminates in the EDU 659: Internship I (Elementary) and EDU 660: Internship II (Secondary) courses which are to be taken consecutively. To meet the year long field experience, interns are required to register for these internship courses in the Fall and Spring semesters and complete the summer component during the First and Second Summer Sessions that immediately follows their Spring semester. Field experiences are completed in a given school setting and practiced under the supervision of a qualified School Principal or Administrator working in collaboration with Lincoln University s supervisory faculty. All candidates completing the internship requirement must 8
receive a satisfactory rating from their immediate on-the-job supervisor or administrator evaluating their performance during the field experience. A. Entrance Criteria/Admission Requirements I. Candidates who hold an undergraduate degree and are seeking a principal certificate must meet the following requirements for admission: 1. Possess an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university 2. Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed showing an overall GPA of at least 3.0 3. Possess Pennsylvania s Instructional I teaching certification 4. Have a minimum of 5 years of classroom teaching experience in one s area of certification in a public or private school in order to be eligible for principal certification 5. Be a full-time employee of a public or private school when applying for admission. 6. Submit a completed Graduate Program application 7. Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from instructors and immediate supervisors 8. Submit a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee (no personal checks accepted) 9. Submit a 300-500 word essay explaining future goals based on the selected graduate program 10. Provide an updated resume` II. Candidates who hold a master s degree in another area and are seeking a principal certificate must meet the following requirements for admission: 1. Possess a master s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.3 or above 2. Provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed 3. Possess Pennsylvania s Instructional I teaching certification 4. Have a minimum 5 years of classroom teaching experience in one s area of certification at a public or private school in order to be eligible for certification 5. Be a full-time employee in a public or private school when applying for admission 6. Submit a completed Graduate Program application 7. Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from instructors and immediate supervisors 8. Submit a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee (no personal checks accepted) 9
9. Submit a 300-500 word essay explaining future goals based on the selected graduate program 10. Provide an updated resume` B. Retention Criteria Candidates must: 1. sign for at least two graduate level courses during each academic session to maintain full-time status. 2. maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to stay in the program. 3. abide by Lincoln University s policies listed in the Lincoln University Bulletin. C. Exit Criteria To be eligible for a K-12 principal s certificate, the candidate must: 1. complete all required coursework. 2. have a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in one s area of certification in public or private schools. 3. maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 4. fulfill the academic requirements for the Pennsylvania K-12 Principal Certificate. 5. complete the required coursework within a five-year time frame. 6. successfully pass the PDE required Principal Certification tests. Advising Upon acceptance into the Educational Leadership Program, candidates will be assigned a faculty advisor. The Advising Sheet (Appendix 1) outlines the required courses and the field experiences that are required in EDU 659: Internship I (Elementary) and EDU 660: Internship II (Secondary). The courses have been designed to provide students with an opportunity to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education Core and Corollary Standards as well as the Special Education Competencies outlined in the PDE Educational Leadership Guidelines. All course syllabi identify the course objectives and requirements that lead to the opportunity to acquire these PDE competencies and standards. Page 21 of this document provides a matrix with Core and Corollary Standards and the courses that are designed to meet these standards. The same type of information is provided in the Special Education matrix on page 34 of this document. The advising sheet has been developed to guide students with course selection while working towards principal certification and highlights the field experience requirements. 10
The advising sheet outlines the requirements; however, candidates should know the details related to the program in terms of courses and field experience requirements. The advising form provides the basis for discussion between the candidate and the advisor. Candidates should be astutely aware of all requirements to ensure that s/he will have the knowledge, skills and disposition to be successful in working in an administrative position in a school district. Field Experiences: The 360 hours of field experience is the minimum number of required hours and culminates in the EDU 659: Internship I (Elementary) and EDU 660: Internship II (Secondary) courses which are to be taken consecutively. To meet the year long field experience, interns are required to register for these internship courses in the Fall and Spring semesters and complete the summer component during the First and Second Summer Sessions that immediately follow their Spring semester. This will provide that candidate with a year long experience in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a program designed to bolster student achievement while working with the faculty, staff and community. The documentation for the field experiences during the Internship program will be monitored through the Mentoring-Intern Monitoring Log (Appendix 2). The list identifies activities that should provide those types of experiences that principals encounter on a daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. This electronic document allows for additional activities deemed beneficial to preparing the intern for a full-time principal position. Selection and Training of Mentors: Each intern must work with a qualified mentor during the Internship process. A mentor must meet the following criteria: a. Possess principal certification b. Have a minimum of three years experience as a principal c. Have knowledge of data driven decision making d. Have experience with curriculum development e. Have experience in the selection, mentoring and evaluation of teachers and staff f. Have experience in a standards based system that insures student achievement g. Demonstrate advocacy for all students h. Demonstrate strength in creating a culture that all constituents pursue excellence i. Have experience managing resources The training process is on-going and is conducted twice a year through a group orientation and at the conclusion of the Internship. At the group orientation the program expectations and Handbook are reviewed with special attention given to the types of activities the intern should experience with the guidance of a mentor. At the conclusion of each internship, a session is provided which allows for feedback, an exchange of ideas and an evaluation of the program. Sessions are provided each semester on an individual basis when new mentors are added as needed. Mentors must convene documented weekly meetings with Interns. Mentors will provide a source of support for interns by exposing them to situations in the building that represent activities and challenges that are typically required of principals. Mentors will encourage 11
interns and provide an opportunity to discuss with the intern his/her reflection of specific situations that represent the duties and challenges of a principal. Mentors will attend the orientation training meeting at the beginning of each new semester. Mentors must attend the culminating session and provide feedback to the Intern, university advisor and the Assistant Chair or his designee regarding the intern, the program and the activities that the intern experienced in the building. Candidate Support Each candidate will be assigned a faculty advisor with the primary responsibility to serve as the point of contact to the candidate throughout the program. Each semester that the candidate is enrolled the advisor will contact the candidate to address any concerns and assess the candidate s portfolio development progress. Candidates that are not enrolled for a semester are contacted by the faculty member to determine if there are any administrative concerns that need to be addressed. Program Improvement An opportunity for feedback from all constituents is provided at the conclusion of each internship program. The mentor evaluation instrument (Appendix 3) allows for pertinent written information that provides on-going guidance related to the intern, the program, the mentor and the university supervisor. This information will be the basis for an on-going evaluation of the total Educational Leadership principal certification program. Graduate full-time and adjunct faculty members will meet routinely throughout the year to discuss the program in terms of course selection, course content, course assignments and candidate performance in order to allow for a continuous opportunity for program improvement. Professional Development The goal of the Educational Leadership Program is to provide the opportunity for the candidates to gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions of the Instructional Leader in a K-12 th grade setting. Throughout the program, emphasis will be placed on the role of the principal in providing opportunities for the faculty and staff to receive professional development in order to meet the needs of all students. The school setting does not exist in a vacuum but rather is a distinctive part of a large community. The role continues to change as new information is garnered through research with reflection upon what is happening in the school, the families, and the community as a whole. Principals must be life-long learners and search for ways to improve student achievement. This entails professional development for both the faculty and staff as well as the administrator. Act 48 is required for teachers and Act 45 is required for principals and administrators. As the educational and instructional leader in the building, principals must be aware of these requirements and the avenues through which these requirements can be met. This opportunity to record exploration of this requirement can be found in the Mentor and Intern Activities Log (Attachment 2) for EDU 659 and EDU 660 Internships I and II. 12
Course Descriptions EDU 631.21 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION (3 credit hours) This course provides a conceptual and technical background in human resources allocation and management in PK-12 inclusive schools. This course uses computer technology to examine the human resources available to schools and leadership where students research and analyze human resource policies and practices for recruiting, selecting, hiring, inducting, developing, evaluating, and retaining or dismissing school personnel. Human resource policies will be studied in relation to Special Education/ELL programs and populations. Also, the course will address the importance of school leadership having deep knowledge of the human resources available to them to be informed, to inform others and build leadership capacity within. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in PDE Core Standards I, II, III and Corollary Standards I, II, III, IV. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/ Measures of assessments. EDU 634.21: SCHOOL LAW (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge of the law directly affecting public and non-public education in the United States. The material will cover principles of law applied to the problems of education. Students will be required to analyze and synthesize judicial interpretations of state or federal constitution, statutes, rules and regulations, and the common law in an objective manner. The provisions of federal and state special education mandates, judicial interpretations, and the state of Pennsylvania s guidelines regulating the delivery of educational and vocational services to persons with special needs will also be addressed. Moreover, the students will be challenged to concern themselves with federal laws, such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), and No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and mandates which clarify not only what school law is but also what it should be. In addition, this course examines in detail several public laws affecting public and non-public educations, which include ADA, P.L. 94-142, P.L. 105-89, etc. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards II, III and Corollary Standards I, II, and V and Special Education I, II, III. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 636.21: K-12 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND ASSESSMENT (3 credit hours) This course is designed to equip current and future elementary and secondary principals with the processes, concepts, and competencies required to change complex 13
organizational environments. Each candidate will have clear understanding and acceptance of differences in culture, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, socio-economic status, lifestyle orientation, language, abilities, disabilities, and aspirations of individual learners including special education and English Language Learners. The goal is to prepare effective leaders who can shape and direct effective schools. Emphasis will be given to the various dimensions of the leadership role in educational assessment, problem-solving, and decision-making processes for strategic planning and implementation. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in PDE Core Standards I, II, III and Corollary Standards I, II, III, IV, VI. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/ Measures of assessments. EDU 638.21: CURRICULUM DESIGN AND INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT (3 credit hours) This course is designed to provide teachers, supervisors, and school administrators with the realistic concepts of curriculum and instruction as used in schools. An emphasis will be placed on an inclusive curriculum aimed to be suitable to all children including those with special needs and English Language Learners. The course examines the major educational curricular philosophies, both historical and current, and their implications for the development of curriculum in a classroom; managing a curriculum in a school or local school setting; curriculum policy-making; and the development of curriculum plans and materials. The course provides opportunity to design instructional units across the various disciplines and develop appropriate assessment techniques to closely assess students academic performances and achievement, including that of diverse populations. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards I, II and Corollary Standards I, IV, VI. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 642.21: SUPERVISION AND INSTRUCTION IN K-12 SCHOOLS (3 credit hours) This course is designed to acquaint candidates with supervision for instructional improvement that increases student achievement. Students will examine the assumptions and goals which have guided supervision of teachers throughout different movements, develop knowledge of the interpersonal characteristics and functions required of a supervisor, and reflect upon the supervisor s role to serve as a change agent to create positive educational change. Further, this course is intended to familiarize candidates with principles, practices, trends, and issues related to ethics in school supervision and instruction. The course will also address school-based management, application of total quality management, and structuring staff evaluation and supervision. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards I, II, Corollary Standards I, II, III, IV, VI. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. This course will provide knowledge of the Special Education framework and guidelines by assuring familiarity with PDE Special Education Competencies I, II, III. 14
EDU 647.21: SCHOOL FINANCE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS (3 credit hours) This course is designed to help prospective administrators understand how schools and school districts function from a financial perspective. It examines how school finance formulas and structures function in relation to state and local government policies affecting fiscal decision-making. Needs of all programs and student populations are considered, including Special Education and ELL. As future leaders, candidates will learn the essentials in school accounting, budgeting, financing, investing, financial regulations and requirements, and computer applications. The course will also address the importance of using an appropriate assessment technique to make data-driven decisions in creating and meeting a school improvement plan. The course was developed to foster candidates knowledge and competence in PDE Core Standards I, II and Corollary Standard I, II and Special Education Competencies I, II, III. Course assignments are aligned with PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 656.21: THE PRINCIPALSHIP (3 credit hours) This course will explore the Principalship using specific points of view such as reflective, proactive practice or instructional leadership. Students will be provided with a clear organizational framework for school leadership. This course will enable potential principals to plan strategically to adjust themselves to unique school environments, students academic performance and achievement, and the needs of diverse populations such as Special Education and ELL in order to develop a school improvement plan that captures a vision for the future. They will explore strategies for providing systematic ways in which the novice can structure professional social-interaction perspectives with special emphasis on work group development, ongoing instructional leadership, diagnostic methods, and the reflective approach to becoming a highly qualified school principal. The course was developed to foster candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards I, II, III and Corollary Standards III, IV, V, VI and Special Education Competencies I, II, III. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 657.21: INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP (3 credit hours) This course is designed to help prospective principals and supervisors increase their knowledge and skills in the primary area of curriculum instruction based up on data derived from research. The course presents concepts and research findings that when understood can improve students problem solving and leadership effectiveness and ability to make data-driven decisions. Emphasis is placed on the development and research skills associated with instruction, pedagogy and evaluation in inclusive classrooms. The various modes of strategic planning for instruction, feedback, and assessment are covered. Further, this course will provide each candidate an opportunity to reflect on her/his personal ethical stances and to analyze and critique ethical issues in a variety of personal contexts as future instructional leader. This course will assess concepts of events on associated with interacting with children with diverse learning abilities and understanding the terms of special Education alignment and standards The 15
course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standard I and II and Corollary Standard IV. Special Education Course Alignment with Standards I, II and III Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessment. EDU 658.21: SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (3 credit hours) This course explores two areas of school leadership that are essential for improving student achievement: (a) developing a vision of teaching and learning that is shared by all stakeholders, and (b) enhancing school-community relationships. The course examines ways to develop, communicate, implement, and monitor/evaluate a shared vision; and examines the importance of understanding and responding to community needs, valuing diversity, striving for equal educational opportunity and equity, and improving the quality and nature of school/community interactions. Students will assess, reflect on, and improve their own interpersonal skills; explore basic principles of effective communication and public relations; and apply those skills and principles in authentic settings. The course emphasizes the school leader's role in developing and maintaining sensitive, ethical, and open communication with and among all individuals, communities, and constituencies served by the school. The primary emphases of the course are strategies to involve teachers, administrators, parents and policymakers in decisionmaking and to maintain effective public relations with key community groups. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards I, III and Corollary Standards III, IV V and Special Education Competencies I, II, III. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 659.21 & EDU 660.21: K-12 PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP I & II (6 credit hours) EDU 659 and EDU 660 are field-based experience courses requiring 180 hours each in an internship program for a total of 360 hours. They are offered consecutively from fall through the summer academic sessions in K-6 th Grade (elementary) and 7-12 th grade (secondary) school settings and practiced under the supervision of a qualified School Principal or Administrator working in collaboration with Lincoln University s Internship Faculty. The purpose of these internships is to provide potential K-12 school principal candidates a year of experiential learning activities that offer them on-the-job methods and practices of successful school leadership. Candidates will have the opportunity to learn research-based planning skills that help: (1) improve k-12 students academic performance and achievement, (2) create a conducive learning environment to accommodate students with disabilities as well as those from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. In general, candidates will be able to demonstrate integrated experiential, empirical and theoretical knowledge of school administration and leadership. EDU 661.21: RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION (3 credit hours) This course is designed to introduce students to education research methods and datadriven decision making. Major emphasis will be placed on Action Research and Case 16
Study research methods. Candidates will have the opportunity to apply the two research approaches to identify educational needs of targeted diverse populations, such as; Special Education and English Language Learners to develop and assess educational intervention procedures and programs and to recommend areas for school improvement and policy focus. Through research and review of the literature, students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research designs, data collections, and analysis. Overall, the course will provide the student with the skills required for accessing, analyzing and contributing to knowledge in the field of education and becoming better educational and behavioral researchers. EDU 661 is a prerequisite for both EDU 662 (M.Ed-EL Thesis Project) and EDU 663 (M.Ed-EL Comprehensive Examination) capstone courses. Only candidates who successfully complete EDU 661 with a minimum of B grade may sign for either course. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standards I, II and III, Corollary Standard I and Special Education Competency I. Course assignments are aligned with the PDE Evidence/Measures of assessments. EDU 662.21: M.Ed.-EL THESIS PROJECT (3 Credit Hours) This course is designed for M.Ed. students majoring in the Educational Leadership Program who chose to write a thesis project rather than sit for the Comprehensive Examination. The course was developed to foster the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core Standard I, Special Education Competencies I, II, III (strategic planning as an advocate for student success), Core Standard II (standards based reform), Core Standard III (data driven decision making), Corollary Standard I (teaching and learning), Corollary Standard II (managing resources personnel and financial) and Corollary Standard III (empowering others) and Corollary Standard VI (professional development for self and others). Candidates are expected to produce a scientific research report and successfully defend before the thesis committee. It involves either theoretical research or empirical research that identifies an issue or question, reviews the literature, designs a study, gathers and analyzes data or evidence, and presents interpretations or conclusions. EDU 661: Research Methods in Education is a prerequisite for this course. Only candidates who completed EDU 661 with a minimum grade of B or higher may register for this course. EDU 663.21: M.Ed.-EL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (3 Credit Hours) This course is designed for those interested in taking the comprehensive examination on content and practice related to Educational Leadership. The course was developed to assess the candidates knowledge and competence in the PDE Core and Corollary Standards. Topics for the Educational Leadership comprehensive examination are drawn from the required Educational Leadership courses, which include EDU 631: Human Resource Management in Education, EDU 634: School Law, EDU 636: K-12 School Administration and Assessment, EDU 638: Curriculum Design and Instructional Improvement, EDU 642: Supervision and Instruction in K-12 Schools, EDU 647: School Finance & Fiscal Affairs, EDU 656: The Principalship, EDU 657: Instructional 17
Leadership, and EDU 658: School-Community Relations. EDU 661: Research Methods in Education is a prerequisite for this course. Only candidates, who successfully complete EDU 661 with a minimum grade of B or higher, may register for this course. Faculty Joanne R. De Boy, Ed. D. Dr. DeBoy, Associate Professor and Chair of the Education Department, has a BA degree from University of Michigan and both master and doctorate degrees in Psychology of Reading from Temple University. She also has certifications in Elementary Education, Reading Specialist, and Reading Supervisory as well as Elementary Principal through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dr. DeBoy worked as Supervisor of Reading and Language Arts in Southeast Delco School District for 4 years and as principal at Harris School and Darby Township Elementary School in Southeast Delco School District for a total of 13 years. Dr. DeBoy has taught various undergraduate and graduate level courses including Educational Administration and Supervision, Reading in the Content Area, Educational Psychology, Early Childhood and Curriculum Design and Development. Catherine M. DeCourcey, Ph.D. EDUCATION: Ph.D., Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin, M.Ed., Special Education, The University of Texas at Austin & B.A., Psychology, Grinnell College PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Assistant Professor, Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA, Assistant Professor, Towson University, Towson, MD, Visiting Assistant Professor, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, Lecturer/ Research Associate, The University of Texas at Austin Teacher, Austin Independent Schools and Teacher, Chicago Public Schools COURSES TAUGHT AT LINCOLN: EDU 097 Reading and Study Skills, EDU 203 Education and Psychology of the Exceptional Child, and EDU 206 Foundations of Special Education RESEARCH INTERESTS, Preservice teachers dispositions and effective instruction for diverse learners with and without disabilities. Elizabeth Surplus, Ed. D. Dr. Surplus, Assistant Professor of Education and Reading Specialist, has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from the College of New Jersey, an M.A. degree in Reading Education and an Ed. D. degree in Educational Leadership both from Rowan University. She also has Principal Certification in Elementary Education and K-12 Reading Specialist Certification. Dr. Surplus has worked as Reading Consultant for Haddon Township School District Child Study Team in New Jersey for one year, Adjunct Professor in the Secondary Education Department at Rowan University for three years, elementary school teacher in Haddon Township School District for 21 years and as elementary school principal in Haddon Township School District for 10 years. Dr. Surplus taught many undergraduate and graduate level courses. Among graduate level courses are Foundations of Reading, Reading and Language Disabilities, Literature and Literacy, Planning and Organizing Reading Programs, Methods in Elementary School Mathematics Education, and Principalship. Dr. Carol Ann George-Swayze, Ph. D. 18
Dr. George, Associate Professor and Director of Student Teaching received her bachelor s degree in theoretical linguistics from the State University New York at Buffalo and her Masters of Education, Foreign and Second Language Education with a TESOL specialty from the same institution. She was invited as a US Department of Education Title VII research fellow in Bilingual Education, with a Specialty in Second and Foreign language Education also at the SUNY Buffalo. She has taught in higher education in both Mexico and the United States including ITESM (Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey), Chihuahua and Monterrey Campuses, University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico State University and at Lincoln University. Her interest and work in teaching Spanish led her to create a unique method of Painless Spanish published at Duquesne University. She has had both administrative and teaching positions including Director of English, and various program directorships and has taught courses both undergraduate and graduate within the Education and Language and Literacy fields. Admasu E. Tucho, Ed. D. Dr. Tucho, Associate Professor, Graduate Education Programs Coordinator and Interim Assistant Chair of the Education Department, has a B.A. degree in history from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), M. Ed. and M.S. degrees in Educational Administration and Adult & Continuing Education from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and Ed. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Temple University. He has worked as an acting principal for one and a half years and as a secondary school teacher for six years, adult education instructor at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) for 14 years, and graduate education academic advisor, coordinator, and instructor at Lincoln University s Graduate Center in Philadelphia for five years. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses. The courses he taught include Introduction to American Education, Educational Assessment and Evaluation, Foundations of Education, Elementary and Secondary School Administration, Thesis Seminar, School and Community Relations, School Law, and Curriculum Design and Development. Dr. Patricia Lewis-West, Ed. D. Dr. Lewis-West, Assistant Professor, has an Ed. D. in School Administration from Widener University and a B. S. in Human Services from Springfield. Dr. Lewis-West has continued her education by attending numerous educational workshops and educational conferences. Dr. Lewis-West has been a full-time Assistant Professor in the Education Department of Lincoln University for the past three years where she has taught both developmental and professional courses. Dr. Lewis-West spent many years in the Chester Upland School District serving as a support system for school administrators where she learned the inside administration of a school system. She worked teaching adult learners for over 10 years and is currently serving in a contractual position as Chief GED Examiner at Chester Upland School District. She also serves as an advisor for Kappa Delta Pi, the Education Honor Society. Dr. Lewis-West served as an elected official in Chester, Pennsylvania where she was the director of several Chester city departments. Her responsibility included the management of city services including a city budget of 33 million dollars. Yvonne J. Jones, M.Ed and M.A 19